Long term ownership of Note 8

[dmateo]

I can understand your hesitation and also your preoccupation with all three devices: they definitely offer up different experiences and have excellent benefits to owning that specific device.

Though Samsung may be iffy with updates, I'd say you are in the best position to either hold onto that or the Pixel 2 XL. Not that I don't love the Essential Phone (I do!); but Google has promised two years' warranty on their phones and is always pushing updates. The Essential 2 is apparently on the way though, so it looks like they're gonna be going strong!

But yeah, I'd say either the Samsung or Pixel phones would be the best choices for longevity.

Thanks.. I've had the opportunity to use many of the top Android devices: OP5T, note 8, essential and pixel 2xl.I can say with reassurance that I'm down to either the pixel 2xl or note 8 and am swayed towards the p2xl at this point.

 

[sleepnclass]

So I've had the phone on TMobile jump since last September and I'm a bit torn on it. I've been jumping from pixel 2xl to essential and back to note 8 and cannot decide which of the 3 to keep. I plan on keeping any of them for at least 2-3 years and have been contemplating the longevity of the note 8, moreso than the other 2 as Samsung is notorious for sending out delayed updates (if any at all).

What are your thoughts on the longevity of the note 8 as well as the ability toreceive updates on a consistent basis? I think I might just pay off the note 8 and be done with all of it, not too sure at this point.

If you're going to keep it awhile I'd say go pixel. You'll get updates longer for both OS and security.

 

[eshropshire]

I'd never expect to keep the Note 8 more then a year. I'm the phone will be outdated soon because of the lack of updates Samsung has.

Samsung provides 2 major and 3 years of security updates. Been this way for every flagship since 2013. My Note 4 was great until I traded it in last September. Personally I don't care about waiting for major updates.

If you keep your phones for 3 years then get a Pixel. I don't know why people on this forum care. Few seem to keep phones more than 12 months.

 

[torbach1]

It's a very tough call. I've been going back and forth with these two too. I really want the timely security updates. So I settled on the XL2, but kept the Note 8 for a bit longer, switched back and forth. I love that the Note ISN'T stock. I love Samsung Pay. I love Samsung's awesome cases for the Note, and the sheer range of accessories compared to the pretty meager options for the XL 2.

Most of all, despite having a newer XL2 build with a much better screen than early units, I consume most TV, entertainment on my phone wearing headphones. So I miss the Note's gorgeous screen.

I sold my Note 2 months ago. Now that Samsung has a $200 off offer, I'm getting one again.

Part of the reason for this is ironically the very security updates that I want so badly. They're frequently buggy. Samsung may delay updates way too long for my liking, but 99% of the time, when they do push the update out, it's stable.

So far I've had at least minor issues with the XL2 after each monthly update, with February's being much more major. Bluetooth connectivity is hit and miss depending on the update. I'm having far more app crashes in the XL 2 than I did on the Note.

I guess I can't have what I want, which is a Note with speedy AND stable updates. So I'm going to switch to the Note with the slow and stable updates and sell the Pixel.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

It's a very tough call. I've been going back and forth with these two too. I really want the timely security updates. So I settled on the XL2, but kept the Note 8 for a bit longer, switched back and forth. I love that the Note ISN'T stock. I love Samsung Pay. I love Samsung's awesome cases for the Note, and the sheer range of accessories compared to the pretty meager options for the XL 2.

Most of all, despite having a newer XL2 build with a much better screen than early units, I consume most TV, entertainment on my phone wearing headphones. So I miss the Note's gorgeous screen.

I sold my Note 2 months ago. Now that Samsung has a $200 off offer, I'm getting one again.

Part of the reason for this is ironically the very security updates that I want so badly. They're frequently buggy. Samsung may delay updates way too long for my liking, but 99% of the time, when they do push the update out, it's stable.

So far I've had at least minor issues with the XL2 after each monthly update, with February's being much more major. Bluetooth connectivity is hit and miss depending on the update. I'm having far more app crashes in the XL 2 than I did on the Note.

I guess I can't have what I want, which is a Note with speedy AND stable updates. So I'm going to switch to the Note with the slow and stable updates and sell the Pixel.

Kinda makes you wish you had the best of both, no?

 

[eshropshire]

Not really, I never used the stylus despite always having one amd I personally feel there's much to appreciate about stock Android and how efficient it can be without all the bells and whistles.

Im giving either one to my father as his note 4 is increasingly aging.

Interesting, personally I would never own a Note if it was not for the sPen. Great with OneNote. Take notes in meetings and send them out as tasks to my Team.

The handwriting recognition is great. Better than my Surface Pro. I personally find the Note 8 is a beast of a machine for work. Also, since I travel around the world and my plane trips can be over 35 hours I keep a lot of media on my phone.

 

[torbach1]

Interesting, personally I would never own a Note if it was not for the sPen. Great with OneNote.

I love OneNote and use it pretty much to keep track of my work life. Meetings, presentations, ToDos, etc. This is huge in terms of the Note. But I also love the Samsung themes, prefer Samsung Messaging to Google Messages (assume I'm in the minority there), prefer Samsung's phone app, etc.

 

[rdubmu]

If you have T-Mobile jump, and plan to keep your phone for 2-3 years get rid of T-Mobile jump

 

[Morty2264]

Thanks.. I've had the opportunity to use many of the top Android devices: OP5T, note 8, essential and pixel 2xl.I can say with reassurance that I'm down to either the pixel 2xl or note 8 and am swayed towards the p2xl at this point.

Sounds like a plan!

 

[amyf27]

If you have T-Mobile jump, and plan to keep your phone for 2-3 years get rid of T-Mobile jump

If you're on Jump and decide to keep the Note, you can buy it at the end of the lease term and be out of Jump that way. I've never done that before so I'm not sure how that part works, but assuming you're not on JOD anymore, or maybe you are you just don't have the lease pmt. ? Not sure.

 

[rdubmu]

If you're on Jump and decide to keep the Note, you can buy it at the end of the lease term and be out of Jump that way. I've never done that before so I'm not sure how that part works, but assuming you're not on JOD anymore, or maybe you are you just don't have the lease pmt. ? Not sure.

There is jump program that is a leasing option and also one that you can upgrade your phone every 6 months (version 1.0) or when your phone is 50% paid off (version 2). Those are not the leasing option.

 

[dmateo]

I'd either pay off the device and give to my dad or jump to an LG Aristo or something along those lines that would serve as a good backup device that's inexpensive.

 

[rdubmu]

There is jump program that is a leasing option and also one that you can upgrade your phone every 6 months (version 1.0) or when your phone is 50% paid off (version 2). Those are not the leasing option.

And if you plan to keep your phone for 2-3 years having Jump is a waste or money as you are paying for something you won't use.

 

[anon(1733)]

And if you plan to keep your phone for 2-3 years having Jump is a waste or money as you are paying for something you won't use.

️ this is true.

 

[dmateo]

Now I'm back to the Note. And yes, I agree with many of you where it does not make sense to have jump at this point. I'm ultimately looking to have any of the devices I plan to keep for greater than a few months as it just doesn't make financial sense for me at this point to keep switching.

This iteration of the note 8 is incredible and I think will still be a formidable opponent to many smartphones for the next 2-3 years